Industrial Design

An Industrial Design is defined as the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of a useful article (product). The design may consist of three-dimensional features, such as the shape or surface of an article, or two-dimensional features, such as patterns, lines or color.
An industrial design in simple terms is the appearance of a product, it’s what makes a product attractive and appealing to a consumer’s eye.
Industrial designs are applied to a wide variety of products of industry and handicraft items: from packages and containers to furnishing and household goods, from lighting equipment to jewelry, and from electronic devices to textiles. Industrial designs may also apply to graphic symbols and graphical user interfaces (GUI)
Industrial design rights are granted for FIVE (5) years renewable for two more consecutive five year term.
Industrial design protection does not protect the technical features of the product.

For a design to be protected, it must be:

New-there is no identical design already available to the public before the date of filing, or application for registration.
Original-must be independently created by designer, and not a copy or imitation of existing designs.

Industrial Design Application Procedure

The applicant should have:

  • Filled Industrial Design Application Form.
  • Drawing or other adequate graphic representation of article (product).
  • Description identifying features that constitute the design.
  • Power of Attorney, where applicant is represented by an Attorney.
  • Receipt of payment of application fees.

Note:

Where the applicant is not the creator, the request shall be accompanied by a statement justifying the applicant’s right to the registration of the industrial design.

Step 1 Submit an application to URSB.
Step 2 Formalities  Examination of the application – Application is checked to determine if all
requirements for application  have been provided and is then accorded an application number and filing date.
Step 3 Substantive examination of application – The application is examined to determine if the design is
new and original.
Step 4 Publication of application – If the design is acceptable for registration,  a gazette notice
is issued to the applicant to advertise in the Uganda Gazette for 90 days.
Step 5 Certificate of Registration – If there is no opposition after the expiration of 90 days of the
advertisement, the Registrar shall issue a certificate of registration upon payment of the registration fee by the applicant.

Industrial Design Fees

Sub category Amount (local applicant) UGX Amount (foreign applicant) USD
Application fee 50,000 100
Grant fee 20,000 20
Renewal fee 100,000 250